Afghanistan: Taliban authorities confirm vehicle explosion occurred near Abul Fazl Shrine in Police District 2, Kabul, early Feb. 21 /update 1

Event

Taliban authorities have confirmed an explosion occurred on a vehicle near Abul Fazl Shrine in Police District 2, Kabul, early Feb. 21. Officials indicate the incident did not leave any casualties. No group has immediately claimed responsibility for the incident.

Context

The Feb. 21 explosion occurred in a predominantly ethnic Hazara neighborhood, which includes minority Shi'a Muslims. Religious and ethnic violence against Hazaras has remained a long-standing human rights issue inside Afghanistan. Islamist groups have repeatedly carried out targeted attacks against several minority groups, including Hazaras.